Lexington, Kentucky - The 2011 American Saddlebred Horse Association's (ASHA) Annual Convention and Youth Conference will be held February 17-19 at the Griffin Gate Marriott Resort and Spa in Lexington, KY.

As in 2010, on the day before the opening of the 2011 American Saddlebred Convention - February 16 - an American Riding Instructors Association (ARIA) Riding Instructor Certification Test will be held. The Test Center fee is $595. For additional information, visit the ARIA website at www.riding-instructor.com, call (239) 948-3232, or email [email protected]. This event will be held onsite at the Griffin Gate Marriott as well. To view a full schedule of test center dates and locations, visit http://www.riding-instructor.com/pdfs/ARIA_2011_Test_Centers.pdf.

Registration for the 2011 Convention will begin on the morning of February 17. Also on Thursday morning will be a Charter Club Council meeting, followed throughout the day by open committee meetings. On Thursday afternoon, there will be a Charter Club workshop, followed in the evening by a Welcome Reception, sponsored in part by the International Disciplines Committee.

The convention will continue on Friday with open forums, and also is the official beginning of the ASHA Youth Conference, which consists of multiple youth activities, generally including a field trip, as well as the Academy Awards breakfast and ASHA Youth Club Awards Luncheon. Details about speakers and open forums to be held Friday and Saturday will be announced in the coming days, as well as detailed instructions for how to make hotel reservations at a discounted rate at the Griffin Gate Marriott.

The convention’s grand finale, the Saddlebred Gala, will take place Saturday evening, preceded by a Saddlebred Cocktail Reception. The Saddlebred Gala is a remarkable production, consisting of fine dining, award presentations, and a live band providing the music.

Official meeting materials will soon be in the mail, and will include youth and adult member registration forms.

ENDS